Men, Women, and the Power of Empathy: You Can Really ... (ISBN 0595414923)

Empathy Works!:
The Power of Empathy is a powerful little book! There is more useful information in these few pages than in any of the myriad self-help books I have read in a very long time. What is wonderful is that any one of us can read this book and immediately apply the "empathic solution" to the problem at hand. We did and it works! My husband and I see ourselves as strong-willed, independent, caring and loving people. We also see that we are very different people, opposites in many ways. Thus our marriage has its fair share of struggles and misunderstandings. The Power of Empathy helped us clarify what we wanted in our marriage. Not only are we able to pay attention and listen better, but we have improved in our ability to truly feel the experience of the other. Admittedly, making changes in our relational patterns is not easy but the rewards are well worth it. We get through the "off" times so much more quickly and with much less stress. The beauty of learning to be empathic is that you can actually use this in any relationship, with children and adults. It is a true gift to the other person when you give your full attention in an attempt to know their experience. Finally, I feel we now have a practical answer that helps us transcend the perceived conflict of the moment and brings us closer to our shared goal of a deeper love and intimacy. For all those who have felt the frustration and accompanying loneliness of not being able to "reach" your partner we know you will be very glad you chose this book. Read it. Try it. Experience the joy of a re-energized and re-newed relationship.

an extremely helpful way of looking at things:
It is refreshing to read a perspective that suggests that we, men, women, people, might actually be able to get along together, and that our communications with each other could increase trust, with a little tweaking and the bravery to point the finger of judgement at ourselves. This could easily be the textbook for empathy in any human services field.

Timely Book For Couples:
For two people to learn how to live together harmoniously in an intimate relationship is not an easy task. Few are able to accomplish it without a struggle and, for most, even that is not enough. A.R. Maslow's "Men, Women and the Power of Empathy" is a timely response to an urgent need: how do we make our primary relationships really work the way we would like them to them to work? In this thoughtful, concise, and clearly written little book we find genuinely helpful guidance on how such a lofty task can be accomplished. It is based on an understanding of the commonly known phenomenon that women are often more revealing of how they feel than men. It is not something that women necessarily do deliberately. They often hide their vulnerabilities as well. But, because of the gender differences and the traditional role of women as those who need to preserve hearth and home, they have not had the same urgency to appear invulnerable. Historically, men are the gender that goes to the battlefield. In order to prepare for this gruesome eventuality, they have been raised to believe that being brave means to hide vulnerable feelings. Although, in a general sense, this may not be true, it certainly is a helpful thing to believe if you are facing an enemy who wants to do you in. Maslow, based on long professional and personal experience, provides vivid examples as well as clear and useful guidance to help women take advantage of the discrepancy between the sexes by making it easier for men to realize that they are not facing an enemy but rather a partner who wants a more harmonious and loving relationship. When both partners are open to acknowledge their vulnerabilities more appropriately, they are better able to support each other and their relationships are more free to thrive. Maslow helps them do exactly that by carefully teaching women the appropriate use of empathy. The big secret is that men can benefit equally well from reading the book because it can help them to understand themselves better and to learn how to help their female partners in the pursuit of a more harmonious relationship. Edgar M. Ross, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist

"Letting Go of Being Right":
Dr. Maslow masterfully walks the reader through a process of increasing intimacy between partners. He accomplishes this through clearly written explanations and vignettes with which we can all easily identifiy. These examples are drawn from his private practice, friendships, and even his own marrage. As Dr. Maslow gently guides us through the chapters, we find our own skepticism fall away as we nod in agreement with each concept. He persuasively presents the notion that real strength lies not in "being right" but in choosing empathy and vulnerability over dominance or even "the facts." All this and more is carefully argued in the author's simple "truth telling" style. I would heartily recommend "Men, Women and the Power of Empathy: You Can Really Connect with Him" to couples stuck in certin problematic patterns, as well as those in committed relationships who merely want to enhance communciation between them. In addition, this concise, well presented little book offers much information for each gender of the couple, as there are separate sections in each chapter devoted to men and to women who are striving to improve their partnerships. And, afterall, isn't connection what everyone longs for? by Randy Sights Baskerville, Ph.D.

Useful guideposts along a path:
This book is a series of guideposts on a path to more acceptance, better listening, and enjoying people more. It has no footnotes, no references, no bibliography. It is a book about work in progress, on paying attention more and trying to fix things less: Bob Maslow has been working on this shift both in his practice in psychology and in his own life, and it has changed him. I talked with Bob Maslow regularly while he was writing this book. It is a good guide for me. I just recommended it to my sister, and she pointed out that I was using Maslow's insights in my own work and in my own life. I recommend this useful, enjoyable and friendly guide to others, too.